Flight of the Conchords

I was an Australian in America at the height of the Conchords hype. Even though they were from New Zealand, everything I did ended up being associated with them. I ended up hating them for ages because of it.

But then thanks to some really clever comedic song writing, and lots of in jokes about this song, I got back into them:

But, it seems I'm one of the only ones around to not get caught up in the hysteria of this band. Because they've announced a tour... to the Entertainment Centre. A much bigger venue than I ever imagined!

July 7

New Years Noise

My favourite New Zealand band, hands down, is Die! Die! Die! Not only do they have a great name, they play some great noisy garage rock. Which is a particular favourite genre of mine right now.

Although they've been through town a few times in 2010, they thought they'd squeeze one more show in just before midnight on New Years Eve. They'll be playing Woodlands on New Years Eve, before the venue transforms into the official after party for the No Years show at the Powerhouse.

MySpace

Shihad

The most excellent Kiwi boys Shihad are having a busy last half of the year. They recently sold out their run of dates, they are about to come back as supports for KoRn and now they're announcing yet another run of shows.

As seen on the drum kit above, they were also known as Pacifier for a while, to try and avoid conflict with the term "jihad". I still consider their album the General Electric one of the finest rock albums to be ever made in the Australasia region. Big call, I know, but I love it.

Come January, we'll have 3 shows in our area:
6th - Beer Gardens, Surfers Paradise [18+]
7th - Villa Noosa, Sunshine Coast [18+]
8th - The Zoo, Brisbane [18+]

Make sure you catch them, they're still writing and producing excellent music after all these years.

MySpace

Shihad

Another band I saw on this day last year (at the Sounds of Spring, see last post) were the Kiwi greats Shihad. They've been around for over 22 years now and put out one of the great Australasian rock albums ever made in the General Electric in 1999.


If we ignore the few years they changed names to Pacifier to avoid confusion with the post 9-11 jihads, they've probably been one of the most consistent rock acts to come from our Pacific region.

Shihad will be releasing a new album soon and as such will be leaving New Zealand to tour it around Australia, their country of greatest success.

November 12, the Zoo.
November 13, the Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast.

Joining them will be Melbourne's Trial Kennedy, an alternative/emo band, that sounds a lot like Gyroscope.

Shihad
Trial Kennedy